U.S. patent application number 17/110426 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for battery module.
The applicant listed for this patent is SK Innovation Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Suk Chul Kim, Yong Uk Kim, Jong Ho Seok.
Application Number | 20210175484 17/110426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005259984 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210175484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Suk Chul ; et
al. |
June 10, 2021 |
Battery Module
Abstract
A battery module includes a cell support unit accommodating at
least one or more secondary battery cells, a body frame member on
which a plurality of the cell support units are installed, and a
cover member disposed between adjacent cell support units. The
cover member includes a fixed plate portion fixed between the
adjacent cell support units, and a flip portion connected to the
fixed plate portion and disposed between electrode tabs of the
secondary battery cells adjacent to each other to separate a space
between the electrode tabs externally, the flip portion being
pushed by internal gas or flame of the secondary battery cells
discharged due to rupturing of the secondary battery cells, to be
position-moved so that the space between the electrode tabs
communicate externally.
Inventors: |
Kim; Suk Chul; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kim; Yong Uk; (Daejeon, KR) ; Seok; Jong
Ho; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SK Innovation Co., Ltd. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005259984 |
Appl. No.: |
17/110426 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 50/155 20210101;
H01M 50/502 20210101; H01M 50/20 20210101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/20 20060101
H01M002/20; H01M 2/10 20060101 H01M002/10; H01M 2/04 20060101
H01M002/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0159872 |
Claims
1. A battery module comprising: a cell support unit accommodating
at least one or more secondary battery cells; a body frame member
on which a plurality of the cell support units are installed; and a
cover member disposed between the cell support units adjacent to
each other, wherein the cover member includes, a fixed plate
portion fixed between the cell support units adjacent to each
other; and a flip portion connected to the fixed plate portion and
disposed between electrode tabs of the secondary battery cells
adjacent to each other to separate a space between the electrode
tabs externally, the flip portion being pushed by internal gas or
flame of the secondary battery cells discharged due to rupturing of
the secondary battery cells, to be position-moved so that the space
between the electrode tabs communicate externally.
2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the flip portion is
vertically coupled to the fixed plate portion disposed horizontally
to the secondary battery cells.
3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the flip portion isolates
the space between the electrode tabs externally, and is broken and
removed from the fixed plate portion by the internal gas or the
flame of the secondary battery cells released due to the rupturing
of the secondary battery cells.
4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the flip portion isolates
the space between the electrode tabs externally, and has one end
portion coupled to the fixed plate portion, the one end portion
being bent by the internal gas or the flame of the secondary
battery cells released due to the rupturing of the secondary
battery cells.
5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the flip portion has one
end portion, which is coupled to the fixed plate portion and has a
wedge groove.
6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the flip portion has a
vent hole having a width that is reduced from an inner surface in
contact with the space between the electrode tabs toward an outer
surface.
7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the fixed plate portion
is provided with a cell gap formation hole disposed in a central
portion to forma space between the cell support units adjacent to
each other.
8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the fixed plate portion
is provided with a support tab protruding to be adjacent to the
flip portion, one surface of the support tab being provided to be
in contact with an inner surface of the flip portion contacting the
space between the electrode tabs.
9. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the cover member is
formed of polyphenylene sulfide or a material including a
thermosetting polymer reinforced with at least glass fiber.
10. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the cell support unit
comprises: a cell support member accommodating the secondary
battery cells in a side portion; and a case member provided to have
a " " shape and fitted into at least one of an upper end, a lower
end or the upper end and the lower end of the cell support member
to surround a side surface of the secondary battery cells.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2019-0159872 filed Dec. 4, 2019, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery module.
Description of Related Art
[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices,
electric vehicles, and energy storage systems (ESS) increase,
demand for secondary battery cells as an energy source is rapidly
increasing. A secondary battery cell is a battery that may be
repeatedly charged and discharged because the mutual conversion
between chemical energy and electrical energy is reversible.
[0004] Such a secondary battery cell includes an electrode assembly
such as a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator and
an electrolyte, which are major components of a secondary battery,
and a cell body member of a laminated film case protecting the
same.
[0005] However, the electrode assembly generates heat as it goes
through the process of charging and discharging, and the
temperature increase caused by the heat generation may degrade the
performance of the secondary battery cell.
[0006] In addition, when heat generation becomes severe, the
internal pressure of the secondary battery cell may increase,
causing the secondary battery cell to ignite.
[0007] In addition, when a plurality of secondary battery cells are
mounted as in an energy storage system (ESS), the secondary battery
cell may explode with such ignition, and a problem of propagating
the flame to other secondary battery cells in the vicinity may also
occur.
[0008] For example, in the related art, since there is no cover
member in an electrode tab of a secondary battery cell to prevent
the entry of flames, when a fire occurs in a neighboring secondary
battery cell, the flame may easily enter an adjacent secondary
battery cell, so that preventing the spread of fire is
difficult.
[0009] Therefore, to prevent the above-described problems or
limitations, research on a battery module is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the
Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0011] Exemplary embodiments provide a battery module in which
ignition propagation of a secondary battery cell may be
prevented.
[0012] Exemplary embodiments provide a battery module in which a
flame may be reduced when a secondary battery cell is ignited.
[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery module
includes a cell support unit accommodating at least one or more
secondary battery cells, a body frame member on which a plurality
of the cell support units are installed, and a cover member
disposed between the cell support units adjacent to each other. The
cover member includes a fixed plate portion fixed between the cell
support units adjacent to each other, and a flip portion connected
to the fixed plate portion and disposed between electrode tabs of
the secondary battery cells adjacent to each other to separate a
space between the electrode tabs externally, the flip portion being
pushed by internal gas or flame of the secondary battery cell
discharged due to rupturing of the secondary battery cell, to be
position-moved so that the space between the electrode tabs
communicate externally.
[0014] The flip portion may be vertically coupled to the fixed
plate portion disposed horizontally to the secondary battery
cell.
[0015] The flip portion may isolate the space between the electrode
tabs externally, and may be broken and removed from the fixed plate
portion by the internal gas or the flame of the secondary battery
cell released due to the rupturing of the secondary battery
cell.
[0016] The flip portion may isolate the space between the electrode
tabs externally, and may have one end portion coupled to the fixed
plate portion, the one end portion being bent by the internal gas
or the flame of the secondary battery cell released due to the
rupturing of the secondary battery cell.
[0017] The flip portion may have one end portion, which is coupled
to the fixed plate portion and has a wedge groove.
[0018] The flip portion may have a vent hole having a width that is
reduced from an inner surface in contact with the space between the
electrode tabs toward an outer surface.
[0019] The fixed plate portion may be provided with a cell gap
formation hole disposed in a central portion to form a space
between the cell support units adjacent to each other.
[0020] The fixed plate portion may be provided with a support tab
protruding to be adjacent to the flip portion, one surface of the
support tab being provided to be in contact with an inner surface
of the flip portion contacting the space between the electrode
tabs.
[0021] The cover member may be formed of polyphenylene sulfide or a
material including a thermosetting polymer reinforced with at least
glass fiber.
[0022] The cell support unit may include a cell support member
accommodating the secondary battery cell in a side portion, and a
case member provided to have a " " shape and fitted into at least
one of an upper end, a lower end or the upper end and the lower end
of the cell support member to surround a side surface of the
secondary battery cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a
cover member is disposed between cell support units in a battery
module according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cover member
portion in a battery module according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating a cover
member portion in a battery module according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a cover member in
a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating an
embodiment in which a vent hole is formed in a flip portion of a
cover member in a battery module according to an exemplary
embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view illustrating an embodiment
in which a support tab is formed on a fixed plate portion of a
cover member in a battery module according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art. The sequences of operations
described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those
set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations
necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of
functions and constructions that would be well known to one of
ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and
conciseness.
[0032] The features described herein may be embodied in different
forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples
described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
willfully convey the scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0033] Herein, it is noted that use of the term "may" with respect
to an example or embodiment, e.g., as to what an example or
embodiment may include or implement, means that at least one
example or embodiment exists in which such a feature is included or
implemented while all examples and embodiment s are not limited
thereto.
[0034] Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a
layer, region, or substrate, is described as being "on," "connected
to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly "on,"
"connected to," or "coupled to" the other element, or there may be
one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast,
when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly
connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there may
be no other elements intervening therebetween.
[0035] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any one and any
combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.
[0036] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be
used herein to describe various members, components, regions,
layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or
sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms
are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer,
or section from another member, component, region, layer, or
section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section
referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as
a second member, component, region, layer, or section without
departing from the teachings of the examples.
[0037] Spatially relative terms such as "above," "upper," "below,"
and "lower" may be used herein for ease of description to describe
one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the
figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described
as being "above" or "upper" relative to another element will then
be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Thus, the term
"above" encompasses both the above and below orientations depending
on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be
oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to
be interpreted accordingly.
[0038] The terminology used herein is for describing various
examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The
articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural
forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms "comprises," "includes," and "has" specify the presence of
stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or
combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition
of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members,
elements, and/or combinations thereof.
[0039] Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,
variations of the shapes illustrated in the drawings may occur.
Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific
shapes illustrated in the drawings, but include changes in shape
that occur during manufacturing.
[0040] The features of the examples described herein may be
combined in various ways as will be apparent after an understanding
of the disclosure of this application. Further, although the
examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other
configurations are possible as will be apparent after an
understanding of the disclosure of this application.
[0041] The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size,
proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be
exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
[0042] A battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure is provided to prevent the propagation of
ignition of a secondary battery cell C, and in another aspect, to
reduce the flame when the secondary battery cell C is ignited.
[0043] In the case of the battery module, since the ignition in any
one secondary battery cell C is prevented from propagating to other
neighboring secondary battery cells C, the problem of a larger fire
may be prevented.
[0044] Moreover, in the case of the battery module according to an
exemplary embodiment, when a plurality of secondary battery cells C
are mounted as in an energy storage system (ESS), the explosion of
anyone secondary battery cell C may be prevented from propagating
to other neighboring secondary battery cells C, thereby preventing
chain explosion.
[0045] In detail, referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a
perspective view illustrating a battery module according to an
exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state
in which a cover member 30 is disposed between cell support units
10 in the battery module according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the cover member
30 in the battery module according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery module according to
an exemplary embodiment includes a cell support unit 10 in which at
least one secondary battery cell Cis accommodated, a body frame
member 20 on which the plurality of cell support units 10 are
installed, and a cover member 30 disposed between the cell support
units 10 adjacent to each other. The cover member 30 may include a
fixed plate portion 31 fixed between the cell support units 10
adjacent to each other, and a flip portion 32 connected to the
fixed plate portion 31 and disposed between electrode tabs E of the
secondary battery cells C adjacent to each other to separate the
space between the electrode tabs E from externally thereof, the
flip portion 32 being pushed by the internal gas or flame of the
secondary battery cell C released due to the rupturing of the
secondary battery cell C, to be moved that the space between the
electrode tabs E communicates externally.
[0047] As such, the battery module according to an embodiment
includes the cover member 30 between the adjacent cell support unit
10, and by including the flip portion 32 separating the space
between the electrode tabs E of the adjacent cell support units 10
from externally thereof, the flame may be prevented from being
transmitted externally, and on the contrary, the flame from the
inside may be released to the outside.
[0048] To this end, the flip portion 32 separates the space between
the electrode tabs E from the outside thereof, and is pushed by the
internal gas or flame of the secondary battery cell C emitted due
to the rupturing of the secondary battery cell C, to be moved in
position such that the space between the electrode tabs E
communicates externally.
[0049] The cell support unit 10 accommodates the secondary battery
cell C, and to this end, for example, the cell support unit 10 may
include a cell support member 11 and a case member 12.
[0050] For example, the cell support unit 10 of the battery module
according to an embodiment may include the cell support member 11
accommodating the secondary battery cell C on a side portion, and
the case member 12 having a " " shape and fitted to at least one of
an upper end, a lower end or the upper end and the lower end of the
cell support member 11 to surround a side surface portion of the
secondary battery cell C.
[0051] The cell support member 11 has a configuration in which the
secondary battery cell C is accommodated, and has a groove-shaped
seating portion corresponding to the shape of the secondary battery
cell C on the side surface such that the secondary battery cell C
is accommodated therein. In addition, the cell support member 11
may be coupled to the case member 12, and thereby, may be
configured to surround the remaining side surface of the secondary
battery cell C except for the electrode tab E.
[0052] In addition, the cell support member 11 may be coupled to a
bus bar B connected to the electrode tab E of the secondary battery
cell C, thereby connecting the secondary battery cell C to the
outside thereof.
[0053] The case member 12 is coupled to the cell support member 11
and serves to surround the side surface portion of the secondary
battery cell C. To this end, the case member 12 may be provided to
have a " " shape, for example, and the case member 12 of the " "
shape supports may be fitted and coupled to the upper or lower end
portion of the cell support member 11 provided with the secondary
battery cell that is accommodated on the side surface portion
thereof.
[0054] The body frame member 20 serves as a body of the battery
module. For example, a plurality of the cell support units 10 are
installed on the body frame member 20 to form a module.
[0055] In this case, the body frame member 20 may be in the form of
a box in which a plurality of cell case units are accommodated, or
may be a frame in the form of a bar in which the plurality of cell
case units are connectedly tied together.
[0056] The cover member 30 separates the space between the
electrode tabs E of neighboring cell support units 10 from the
outside thereof to prevent an external flame from being transmitted
to the space between the electrode tabs E. In addition, and may
serve to discharge the flame or internal gas of the secondary
battery cell C discharged into the space between the electrode tabs
E to the outside thereof.
[0057] To this end, the cover member 30 is disposed between the
cell support units 10 adjacent to each other, and is disposed
between the electrode tabs E of the secondary battery cells C
accommodated on both sides of the cell support unit 10.
[0058] In addition, the cover member 30 includes the flip portion
32 disposed between the electrode tabs E of the secondary battery
cells C adjacent to each other, and the fixed plate portion 31
fixing the flip portion 32.
[0059] The fixed plate portion 31 is fixed in position between the
cell support units 10 adjacent to each other, to serve to support
the flip portion 32.
[0060] In addition, the fixed plate portion 31 forms a space
between the cell support units 10 that are adjacent to each other,
to reduce the transfer of heat between the secondary battery cells
C mounted on the cell support units 10 adjacent to each other.
[0061] For example, in the fixed plate portion 31 of the battery
module according to an embodiment, a cell gap formation hole 31a is
formed in a central portion thereof to form a space between the
cell support units 10 adjacent to each other.
[0062] In detail, the fixed plate portion 31 is fixed between the
secondary battery cells C seated on the cell support units 10
adjacent to each other, and may form an air gap between neighboring
secondary battery cells by the cell gap formation hole 31a in the
central portion thereof, thereby performing a thermal insulation
function.
[0063] Accordingly, even in a case in which any one secondary
battery cell C has heat generation, heat is prevented from being
transferred to the neighboring secondary battery cell C, thereby
preventing problems such as explosion due to an increase in
temperature of an additional secondary battery cell C.
[0064] The flip portion 32 normally separates the space between the
electrode tabs E from the outside thereof, while in a case in which
the pressure of the space between the electrode tabs E increases
due to flame generation or the like of the secondary battery cell
C, the space between the electrode tabs E is communicated with the
outside thereof to prevent a problem in which a relatively larger
explosion occurs.
[0065] To this end, the flip portion 32 is provided on the fixed
plate portion 31, and may include a structure that is broken or
bent under a certain pressure or more, and a detailed description
thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0066] In this case, the cover member 30 of the battery module
according to an embodiment is formed of polyphenylene sulfide, or
may be formed of a material including a thermosetting polymer
reinforced with glass fibers.
[0067] In this manner, restricting the material of the cover member
30 as described above is to prevent the shape of the cover member
30 from deforming due to heat, to block the propagation of external
flames. For example, a heat-resistant material is presented, and
for example, is limited to a material that does not melt or is not
deformed in shape even when exposed at 1000.degree. C. for 10
seconds or more.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating a portion
of the cover member 30 in the battery module according to an
exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating
the cover member 30 in the battery module according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0069] Referring to the drawings, the flip portion 32 of the
battery module according to an embodiment is vertically coupled to
the fixed plate portion 31 disposed horizontally with the secondary
battery cell C.
[0070] In this manner, the flip portion 32 is vertically coupled to
the fixed plate portion 31 to form a "+" shape, a "T" shape, or the
like.
[0071] Therefore, the fabrication of the cover member 30 including
the flip portion 32 and the fixed plate portion 31 may be
facilitated.
[0072] However, the shape of the cover member 30 according to an
embodiment is not limited to the shape of the "+" shape, the "T"
shape, or the like, and may include an angular shape such as a "Y"
shape or the like.
[0073] In addition, the flip portion 32 of the battery module
according to an embodiment separates the space between the
electrode tabs E from the outside thereof, and the discharged due
to the rupturing of the secondary battery cell C, and may be broken
and removed from the fixed plate portion 31 by the internal gas or
flame of the secondary battery cell C discharged due to rupturing
of the secondary battery cell C.
[0074] For example, in order for the flip portion 32 to move so
that the space between the electrode tabs E may communicate
externally, the flip portion 32 may be broken to be released from
the coupling thereof to the fixed plate portion 31, and thus, may
be separated to the outside thereof.
[0075] Accordingly, since the path through which the space between
the electrode tabs E communicates with the outside may be
significantly enlarged, the problem of occurrence of an additional
explosion is more effectively prevented.
[0076] In addition, the flip portion 32 of the battery module
according to an embodiment separates the space between the
electrode tabs E from the outside thereof, and one end portion of
the flip portion 32 coupled to the fixed plate portion 31 is bent
by an internal gas or flame of the secondary battery cell C
discharged due to the rupturing of the secondary battery cell
C.
[0077] For example, to communicate the space between the electrode
tabs E externally, the flip portion 32 is deformed to have a shape
in which one end portion thereof is bent, and is moved to secure a
path in which the internal gas or flame of the secondary battery
cell C is discharged to the outside thereof, while maintaining the
coupling thereof to the fixed plate portion 31.
[0078] Accordingly, while securing a path through which the space
between the electrode tabs E communicates externally, a problem in
which the flip portion 32 is separated and collides with another
secondary battery cell C may be prevented. In detail, a problem in
which the other secondary battery cells C are damaged due to
collision thereof with the flip portion 32 may be prevented.
[0079] In this case, the flip portion 32 of the battery module
according to an embodiment may be characterized in that a wedge
groove 32b is formed in one end portion thereof coupled to the
fixed plate portion 31.
[0080] By the wedge groove 32b, a position on which the flip
portion 32 is broken on the fixed plate portion 31 or a position on
which one end of the flip portion 32 coupled to the fixed plate
portion 31 is bent, due to the internal gas or flame of the
secondary battery cell C released due to the rupturing of the
secondary battery cell C, is limited.
[0081] In addition, by the wedge groove 32b, the breakage of the
flip portion 32 by the internal gas or flame of the secondary
battery cell C released due to the rupturing of the secondary
battery cell C may be facilitated, or the bending of one end of the
flip portion 32 may be facilitated.
[0082] To this end, the wedge part may be formed as a groove of a
"V" shape or a "U" shape.
[0083] FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating an
embodiment in which a vent hole 32a is formed in the flip portion
32 of the cover member 30 in the battery module according to an
exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the flip portion 32 of
the battery module according to an embodiment is provided with the
vent hole 32a having a width reduced from an inner surface thereof
contacting the space between the electrode tabs E toward an outer
surface.
[0084] By this vent hole 32a, while enabling the flame to be
discharged from an interior space that is a space between the
electrode tabs E to the exterior space outside the space, the entry
of flame into the interior space that is the space between the
electrode tabs E from the exterior space may be blocked.
[0085] The effect of preventing the discharge of flame and the
entry of flame as described above may be provided since the width
of the vent hole 32a formed on the inner surface in contact with
the space between the electrode tabs E is greater than the width
formed on the outer surface.
[0086] In detail, in order for the flame to enter the inner space
from the outside, the flame should pass through an area of a
relatively small width, and in this case, the contact area with
oxygen rapidly decreases by the reduced width, and thus, the flame
is dissipated to block entry thereof into the inner space.
[0087] On the contrary, when the flame is discharged from the inner
space to the outside, since the width of the path through which a
flame passes gradually decreases and the contact area with oxygen
decreases in sequence, the flame or heat may be discharged to the
outside while preventing the dissipation of the flame.
[0088] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating an
embodiment in which a support tab 31b is formed on the fixed plate
portion 31 of the cover member 30 in the battery module according
to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the fixed plate
portion 31 of the battery module according to an embodiment is
provided with the support tab 31b that is formed to protrude
adjacent to the flip portion 32. One surface of the support tab 31b
may be provided to be in contact with the inner surface of the flip
portion 32 in contact with the space between the electrode tabs
E.
[0089] Therefore, the flip portion 32 may be broken and removed or
bent so that the internal gas or flame of the secondary battery
cell C is discharged from the internal space between the electrode
tabs E to the external space. Conversely, a problem in which the
flip portion 32 is broken and removed or bent in order for gas or
flame of the external space to enter the internal space between the
electrode tabs E may be prevented.
[0090] For example, in the case in which the gas or flame of the
external space pushes the flip portion 32 to enter the internal
space between the electrode tabs E, one end of the flip portion 32
coupled to the fixed plate portion 31 is supported by the support
tab 31b, and may thus have relatively high resistance.
[0091] Conversely, when the internal gas or flame of the secondary
battery cell C is discharged from the internal space between the
electrode tabs E to the external space, since the support tab 31b
does not support the flip portion 32, the flip portion 32 may be
broken and removed or bent with a relatively small amount of
resistance force.
[0092] As set forth above, a battery module according to an
embodiment has an advantage of preventing ignition propagation of
secondary battery cells.
[0093] In another aspect, the battery module according to an
embodiment has an advantage of reducing flame when the secondary
battery cell is ignited.
[0094] In addition, the battery module according to an embodiment
prevents the problem that when a plurality of secondary battery
cells are mounted as in an energy storage system (ESS) or the like,
the explosion of any one secondary battery cell is propagated to
other secondary battery cells therearound, causing a chain
explosion.
[0095] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes
in form and details may be made in these examples without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The
examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive
sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of
features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being
applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples.
Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are
performed to have a different order, and/or if components in a
described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in
a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other
components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the
disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the
claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope
of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being
included in the disclosure.
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